After wanton loot of Keonjhar mines, the mineral smugglers have discovered another safer place. The loot is taking place in Hilang hill under Riamal police station, an inaccessible area of Deogarh district.
“The entire hill containing high quality iron ore is under the total captivity of the smugglers now,” said a local requesting anonymity as they are afraid of the highhandedness of the smugglers. It is also alleged that a few senior police officers of the district and the interstate mineral smugglers are jointly operating the trade.There are good approaching roads to the hills. So the smugglers are reaching the hill with machines without any problem.
After getting frequent allegations, the police and forest departments have seized only 100 cubic feet of the ore and sent it for sample test. But Deogarh SP Satyajit Nayak said that he would take step to seal the mine.
“Of late, the matter has come to my notice and appropriate action will be taken against the culprits involved in the illegal trade,” said Nayak.Similarly, the forest department has also sent its officials to the spot for a spot enquiry, informed Deogarh DFO Ramakanta Mishra.